Climate, government controls hit Bolivia's farmers

[Bacchus39]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110619/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/lt_bolivia_food_crisis


ACHACACHI, Bolivia – Bolivia's farmers were hit from all sides last year — drought, floods and wildfires — forcing the poor Andean nation to import staple foods on an unprecedented scale.

But nature wasn't the only cause. Farmers also blame the government for imposing price controls and export restrictions instead of letting the free market prevail as it does in nearly all the other Latin American countries similarly suffering bad weather.

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\His government had imposed price controls and an export ban on corn, wheat, sugar and other staples in 2007. Two years later, it added vegetable oils, sunflower seeds and soybeans to the list of staples that could only be exported if officials decided the domestic market was adequately supplied.


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Bolivia has long produced most of its food, but imports of sugar and corn shot up 68 percent to $143 million in the first three months of this year to compensate for slumping output.

[naaman fletcher]

1. seems like

lower food production is a common theme of certain governments in south america.

[Bacchus39]

2. indeed n/t

s

[southmost]

3. confusing

why are shortages in domestic market being blamed on steps to ensure the domestic market was adequately supplied

[Bacchus39]

4. price controls, inadequate return on investment

the farmers can't make any money due to goverment policies essentially.